How to Politely Decline a Date

Declining a date can be awkward.

Receiving an offer to go out on a date from someone who you are not interested in or you simply cannot consider dating due to your current relationship can be awkward. Yet, it doesn't have to be. In fact, you can politely decline the invitation without stepping on his feelings.

Be truthful. Don't consider making up false excuses to avoid an uncomfortable situation.

Smile politely and say, "Thank you for asking, but I'm going to have to say no."

Reinforce your answer by stating that you are already in a committed relationship and dating is not an option or that you consider her just a friend, if appropriate.

Based in Texas, Cynthia Measom has been writing various parenting, business and finance and education articles since 2011. Her articles have appeared on websites such as The Bump and Motley Fool. Measom received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin.

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